The Dogs of Winter

  • Pages:328
  • Publisher:Second Story Press
  • Series: A Russell and Leduc Mystery
  • Themes:female led mystery, Montreal, murder mystery, sexual harassment, female detective
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  • Available:10/20/2020
  • Age Groups:Adult Fiction
Paperback
9781772601404
$19.95

The sequel to The Birds That Stay - hailed by the New York Journal of Books as "a fascinating and gripping tale of suspense" and the Globe and Mail as one of "Ten thrillers that will keep you on the edge of your seat". Says Ann Cleeves of the new book: "it's about power and powerlessness in the dead of winter. And more than that, it's a rollicking good read."

The Dogs of Winter begins after a howling snowstorm envelops Montreal, and the body of a young woman is discovered in its wake. The only clue to her identity is the photograph in her pocket, and on it, the phone number of Detective Inspector Romeo Leduc. Meanwhile, Marie and Romeo are busy navigating their deepening relationship, and a student at Marie's college is the victim of a terrible assault.

While Romeo begins to think that the dead woman may be linked to violence against several homeless people in the city, the search for justice in both cases is thwarted by societal apathy and ignorance, even as the killer is stalking the frigid streets of Montreal, preying on and terrorizing its most vulnerable citizens.

The Dogs of Winter is as much an exploration of a city and its communities as a traditional crime novel. It's about power and powerlessness in the dead of winter. And more than that, it's a rollicking good read.
– Ann Cleeves
Marie Russell makes her triumphant return in this compelling and irresistible sequel to The Birds That Stay. Moving the story from the Laurentian mountains to the heart of the city of Montreal, Lambert’s second Russell and Leduc mystery features the welcome return of old favourites and a new cast of fascinating characters. The Dogs of Winter builds on the crackling chemistry between Professor Marie Russell and Detective Romeo Leduc, propelling them into a new investigation lined with unsung heroes and unseen villains. Marie is truly a great Canadian character, and we see her pitted against not only a sinister and elusive killer, but an equally insidious structural inequity that stifles the course of justice at every turn. Like its predecessor, The Dogs of Winter does not shy away from the darker side of Canada’s history- nor its present- and makes for compulsive reading. With Lambert's characteristic blend of humour, pathos and vivid prose, The Dogs of Winter should fly off the shelves.
– Anne Lagacé Dowson, Montreal commentator and activist

"...another simply riveting suspense thriller of a read and continues to showcase the author's natural knack for the kind of narrative storytelling that keeps the reader's riveted attention from beginning to cliff-hanger style ending.”

– Midwest Book Review
"It’s a red-hot potboiler that effectively pierces through any kind of bone-chilling cold."
– The Montreal Times

Midwest Book Review - Michael Dunford's Bookshelf | February 2021
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/mbw/feb_21.htm#michaeldunford

Synopsis: The sequel to author Ann Lambert's crime novel "The Birds That Stay", this edition of "The Dogs Of Winter" from Second Story Press begins after a howling snowstorm envelops Montreal, and the body of a young woman is discovered in its wake.

The only clue to her identity is the photograph in her pocket, and on it, the phone number of Detective Inspector Romeo Leduc. Meanwhile, Marie and Romeo are busy navigating their deepening relationship, and a student at Marie's college is the victim of a terrible assault.

While Romeo begins to think that the dead woman may be linked to violence against several homeless people in the city, the search for justice in both cases is thwarted by societal apathy and ignorance, even as the killer is stalking the frigid streets of Montreal, preying on and terrorizing its most vulnerable citizens.

Critique: Another finally crafted suspense thriller of a read from cover to cover, Ann Lambert's new mystery novel, "The Dogs Of Winter" is certain to be an immediately sought after addition to any and all community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs that "The Dogs Of Winter" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.49).

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"Another finally crafted suspense thriller of a read from cover to cover[.]"
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"Narrated by Lambert herself, I found the audio experience to be enthralling. Dialogue between characters was easy to follow & with Lambert able to speak French, I found the experience of the characters & their speech authentic. I really appreciated Lambert’s narration of her own story."

– Livres de Bibliophile
Crime Writers of Canada - Best Crime Novel Set in Canada   | 2021  |  Short-listed